Keyboard for type-writing machines and pianofortes.



No. 848,471. PATENTED MAR. 26, 1907.

J. H. LAUDENBAGH. KEYBOARD FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES AND PIANOPORTES.

A PPLIOATION FILED JULY 25, 1906.

JEAN HENRI LAUDENBACH, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

KEYBOARD FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES A ND PIANOFORTES- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented March 26, 1907.

Application filed July 26,1906. Serial No. 327,744.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEAN HENRI LAUDEN- BACH, a citizen of the Republicof France, residing at Paris, France, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Key boards for TypeWVriting Machines and Piano'fortes, of which the following is a specification.

This-invention relates to a keyboard for type-writing machines andpianofortes in which the keys are mounted in such a man nor that theycan oscillate on axes which differ from each other by their differentposition. The keys are maintained in their normal position by springs orcounterweights. Furthermore, without changing anything in thearrangement of the levers bearing the keys the latter are according tothe present invention divided into several groups, which facilitate thelearning of writing on typewriting machines or the playing ofinstruments with a keyboard.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of akey. Fig. 2 is a front view of a key. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are plan viewsof the key having the axis in Va rious positions. Fig. 6 is a plan viewof a plurality of keys being grouped. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of akey detached from the supporting-bar, and Fig. 8 is a sectional view ofa modified form of key.

The key 1 is mounted upon a bar 2. In its lower part the key is providedwith an excavation, so that it may perform a slight rotation on an axis4, which goes through the bar 2. A spring 5 keeps the key in horizontalposition. The spring may be arranged in any suitable manner, and it maybe replaced by a counterweight or the like.

If the key is pressed down, the head of the key oscillates on the axis4, and one can at once recognize by the mode of oscillation which keyhas been touched; In order to difi'er the keys from each other, it isonly necessary to arrange the position of the axis 4 of the key-heads ina difl'erent manner. One may arrange the axis parallel, Fig. 3perpendicular, Fi 4, or inclined, Fig. 5, to the front edge of thekeyboard. The efiect may still be increased if one arranges the axis ofoscillation of the key-heads with a certain regularity, so thatthelengthenings of the axes form regular geometrical figuresfor instance,hexagons, triangles, &c. Fig. 6 shows several groups of keys formed inthe said manner. The middle group forms a hexagon, and the axes 4 arearranged in such a manner that the keys oscillate toward the center ofthe hexagon. The middle key of this group may be provided with a devicefor recogni ing it by touch. Each key-head of each group has a differentdirection of oscillation,so that in the moment of touching the keys thelatter are easily to be recognized. Other geometrical figures showarrangements which afford the same advantages.

Experience has proved that in type-writing machines one keeps in mindmost easily those keys which are mounted at the margins of the keyboard.When dividing the keys into groups in such amanner that the oscillatingaxes of the key-heads of each group indicate the sides of a regular andsimple geometrical figure, the committing of the keys to the sense oftouch is essentially facilitated. The key which is in the middle of sucha group-for instance, a hexagonhas such a peculiar position that it iseasily to be recognized.

The direction of the different oscillating axes is made recognizable tothe eye by providing each key with a segment, the chord of whichrepresents the oscillating axis.

The segments of the keys of each group may be colored with the samecolor. For instance, the segments may be blue for a hexagon, red foranother geometrical figure, and so on.

-What I claim is 1. A- keyboard for type-writing machines involvingsupports, a plurality of key-heads, axes associated with said supportsand keyheads, the axis of each key-head having a position different withrespect to the remaining axes, and means for holding the key-heads in anormal operative position.

2. A keyboard of the class described, involving a supporting-bar, akey-head, an axis for connecting the key-head to the bar to allowoscillatory movement of said key-head, said axis being arrangedeccentrically in said key-head, and a resilient means for holding theface of the key-head in a substantially horizontal plane.

3. A keyboard involving a plurality of keys having suitable charactersthereon, supports for the keys, means for connecting the keys with thesupports to allow the said keys to oscillate on the supports, said meansfor each key being arranged on an axial line and in a different positionrelative to the adjacent key, and tension means operative on the keysIIO to hold the same normally in a substantially horizontal plane.

4. A keyboard involving a plurality of keys, supports for the keys, saidkeys armally in a substantially horizontal plane. ranged in a manner toform eometrical gures, supports for the keys, a h axis connect- JEANHENRI LAUDENBAOH' ing each ofthe keys to the supports, said axisWitnesses: of each key being arranged in the keys a dis-- HERNANDO DESoTo, tance removed from the center thereof to al- JOHN BAKER.

of the geometrical figures, and tension means operative on the keys tohold the same norlOW said keys to oscillate toward the center 1o-

